Fast-Track to Space: Swiss Genomics Research on Private Space Flight Mission
Dr. Cora Thiel, Vice Director of the Institute of Aerospace Medicine at the University of Zurich experienced firsthand the dramatic shift in space research when her genomics experiment flew aboard Fram2, the first non-US private space mission. Unlike government missions with lengthy development cycles and rigid protocols, this private venture compressed the entire process to under five months. Using off-the-shelf medical products and pre-approved chemicals, the team demonstrated how private space missions are transforming scientific accessibility with their unprecedented speed and flexibility without sacrificing research quality.
Picture: Dr. Cora Thiel (right) and Prof. Dr. Dr. Oliver Ullrich (left) in UZH's lab at Space Florida (Kennedy Space Center) before handover of the space flight items (in the thermo box, carrying the flags of Switzerland and of St. Kitts and Nevis). (Source: Prof. Dr. Dr. Oliver Ullrich)
How does a genomics experiment from the University of Zurich end up on Fram2, the first non-US private space mission?
Dr. Cora Thiel: Astronaut Rabea Rogge, who participated in the UZH Space Hub’s 6th parabolic flight campaign, encouraged our team to propose an experiment for the Fram2 mission. With extensive prior data and experience from earlier space missions, our team was able to develope a proposal for SpaceX with a very short lead time. Our compatibility with tight timelines and the low resource requirements of the system made the experiment ideal for the fast-paced, streamlined environment of a private space mission like Fram2.
How does developing an experiment for a private space mission like Fram2 differ from conducting similar research on government-funded missions?
Dr. Cora Thiel: Missions like Fram2 offer more flexibility and faster timelines. From concept to mission the process took under five months. Using pre-approved chemicals and off-the-shelf components simplified logistics. Unlike space agency operated missions, which often involve longer development cycles and custom hardware, Fram2’s approach enabled rapid execution without compromising scientific quality.
What particular technical challenges did you have to overcome when preparing the experiment for a private space mission like Fram2?
Dr. Cora Thiel: Despite using familiar systems, key technical hurdles remained. One challenge was storing the cell cultures without nutrient replenishment and maintaining ambient temperature from launch to activation in space. Another was identifying a fixative that could stabilize samples at ambient temperature until their return to Earth. To address these challenges, the team conducted over 600 tests to fine-tune optimal cell culture conditions, chemical stability as well as storage conditions.
How was the research project funded?
Dr. Cora Thiel: Initially, funding was uncertain, so our institute covered early material costs. In March, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) / Swiss Space Office (SSO) agreed to support the project. Their funding covered part of the materials and travel expenses, enabling the team to complete preparations and execute the experiment within the mission’s tight timeline. This timely support was crucial for bringing the project to fruition and meeting the operational deadlines of a mission like Fram2.
How does the collaboration between your research group and the Ministry of Education of Nevis work, and what role did educational aspects play in this project?
Dr. Cora Thiel: The partnership began with a collaborative workshop and led to a joint and still ongoing development of a suborbital rocket experiment. Teachers in Nevis are highly engaged, and the project is evolving into a broader STEM education initiative. Space science is planned to be integrated into the national school curriculum, using the experiment to inspire and educate students. The goal is to establish a model that shows even small nations can participate meaningfully in space exploration. This educational effort aims to break down barriers and foster a global mindset that space is accessible to all.
What educational and outreach components have you integrated into the Space Genomics project, especially regarding the collaboration with Nevis?
Dr. Cora Thiel: The project emphasized outreach, especially through collaboration with Nevisian schools. During the mission, live sessions were integrated into classroom teaching. Students learned about chromosomal dynamics and genomics, experiment design, sample handling, and real-time mission execution. They interacted directly with our team, asked questions, and followed the project’s progress from Earth to space. This direct involvement deepened their STEM understanding, made space science tangible, and sparked curiosity. The initiative showed that students anywhere can engage with advanced science, making the experience both educational and inspiring.
How might the results of your experiment expand our understanding of genomic changes in space, and what practical applications do you foresee?
Dr. Cora Thiel: Past missions showed that human immune cells rapidly respond to microgravity, with changes in chromatin dynamics and gene expression. The Fram2 experiment extends this by observing immune cells over two days in space. This long-term exposure helps reveal both immediate and sustained chromosomal and genomic responses. By comparing these results to short-duration missions, we will better understand how the immune system adapts in space. These insights are crucial for planning long-duration missions and could also support treatments for immune suppression or inflammation on Earth. Our Fram2 results can also be directly compared to our earlier parabolic flight and suborbital rocket mission data, increasing the overall scientific impact of the research.
What long-term research perspectives emerge from the initial results of your experiment, and are you planning follow-up experiments on future missions?
Dr. Cora Thiel: The Fram2 experiment provides new insight into how immune cells adapt to long-term microgravity, potentially identifying lasting or altered regulatory mechanisms. This research helps answer whether the human body can endure extended space travel. Based on these results, our team plans follow-up experiments on future missions to explore chromosomal and genomic changes in more detail and over longer durations. The findings will contribute to maintain astronaut health and developing countermeasures for Moon or Mars missions—paving the way for sustainable human presence in space.